Page 69 of More than Fiction (Misty Springs #1)

Sophia

The sterile smell of the hospital room clung to everything—the sheets, the air, even me. I sat propped up in bed, my legs stretched out beneath the thin blanket, my fingers nervously tapping against my lap.

The TV was on, but I wasn’t watching it. The noise was just background—a failed attempt to drown out the anxious thrum in my chest.

The door creaked open, and my gaze shot toward it. My heart shriveled when a nurse walked in, her smile polite but perfunctory.

“How are you feeling, Ms. Carlson?” she asked, checking the monitor next to my bed.

“I’m fine,” I said quickly, even though my head ached and my body felt like it had been hit by a freight train. “Do you know when I can leave?”

She frowned, glancing at the tablet in her hands. “Your temperature is still a little elevated. The doctor wants to keep you another day to rule out infection.”

“Another day?” I repeated, the restless energy in me ramping up to a boil. “I’m fine. Really.”

“We just want to be sure. Rest is the best thing you can do right now,” she said, typing quickly on a nearby computer before giving me a soft smile. “Hit your call button if you need us.”

I watched her leave, leaning my head back on the pillows. The thoughts swirling in my mind made it impossible to stay still.

What was happening with Corbin?

Was he okay?

Was Sullivan helping him ?

The dizzy spell was gnawing at me.

The sound of the door opening again made me sit up straighter. This time, it was Devyn and Sam. Relief flooded through me at the sight of familiar faces.

“What’s going on? Is Corbin okay?”

Devyn pulled up a chair and sat by my side.

Sam leaned against the wall. “He’s fine. Sullivan got him out. He’s a free man.”

“What happened?” I pressed.

Sam and Devyn exchanged a look like they were protecting me from something.

“There’s more to the story than just a faulty arrest,” Devyn answered.

Sam pushed off the wall and lowered his voice, as if he didn’t trust the walls of the hospital.

“Sullivan’s with the others at the auto body shop.

They’re trying to figure out what happened to the car.

They don’t know for sure, but it sounds like someone tampered with the brake lines, maybe the power steering, too. ”

I exhaled a shaky breath.

“Where’s Corbin?” I asked.

“I forced him to get his shoulder checked out. He was wincing all morning, and when Deputy Diphead grabbed him, I heard it pop out of place. I knew he was in pain.” Devyn said with a roll of her eyes.

As if on cue, the door opened again, and there he was.

Corbin stood in the doorway, a sling around his arm. His face was drawn, and he looked like he was on the verge of collapsing with exhaustion.

“We’ll leave you two alone.” Devyn winked at me before standing and grabbing Sam’s arm.

Sam gave me a soft smile before following Devyn out.

The door clicked shut behind them, leaving Corbin and me in the quiet room. Now that I was awake, the monitors no longer beeped—nothing but our unsaid words filled the space between us.

Corbin stepped closer, sinking into the chair beside my bed with a wince.

“Do you have a ticket for that seat?” I asked, a small smile tugging at my lips despite everything.

“I’ll show you mine if you show me yours,” he quipped back .

We both laughed softly, the tension between us easing for a moment. Then his expression turned serious.

“Sophia, about last night—”

The door flew open, cutting him off. I was just about sick of people bursting through that damn door.

This time, it was Andi, her chest heaving as if she’d sprinted all the way here.

“We’ve got a problem,” she announced, not even bothering to say hello.

“Ned’s not in Misty Springs. He’s claiming to have something on you, Corbin—something big.

He’s in New York, and Davis called an emergency board meeting tonight.

They’re voting to name a new CEO, and if you’re not there… Corbin, it’s over.”

Corbin stiffened, his jaw tightening. He looked at me with worried eyes.

“You have to go,” I said immediately, the words tumbling out before I could stop them.

“Sophia—”

“No.” I shook my head, reaching out to touch his good arm. “This is everything you’ve worked for. You can’t lose it. Not like this.”

I knew how deep his family’s legacy ran and how important it was to him. Whoever was trying to destroy him would get exactly what they wanted if Corbin didn’t go and fight for it.

Corbin’s eyes searched mine—flecks of amber staring longingly, another look that spoke a thousand unsaid words.

“I can’t just leave you here. The only reason you’re in here is because of me.”

“It’s not your fault, Corbin,” I assured him as my hand moved to cup his cheek. “You’re not going to do me any good sitting here watching me sleep. But your grandfather’s company—your company—needs you.”

He sighed and kissed the palm of my hand, the heat from his lips blooming up my wrist and settling within me. He stood and used his free arm to smooth out his slightly blood-stained suit.

He turned to Andi.

“Let’s get to that meeting,” he ordered.

“I’ll get our travel arranged.” She nodded and hurried back out of the room .

Corbin looked down at me, his fingers found mine where they lay at my side, and he gave them a gentle squeeze.

“I didn’t get to say…” He swallowed as his brows knit together.

I squeezed his hand, pulling our joined hands into my lap.

“Tell me when you get back,” I whispered.

He had just been through so much.

We had just been through so much.

And even though part of me ached to hear whatever truth was pressing behind his eyes, I knew I couldn’t let him say it.

Not now.

There was still a battle ahead—more enemies to vanquish before we could even dream of something more.

And if, after all that, there was still an us to return to.

If the damage wasn’t permanent.

If the barrier between us hadn’t grown too wide.

Maybe we’d find our way back here.

But I couldn’t ask him for more right now—not while chaos swirled around us.

Not when love felt like both a promise and a price.

He lowered his head slowly down to mine, pressing a soft kiss on my forehead. “I’ll be back as soon as I can,” he said with a resounding sigh.

I responded with a tight-lipped smile and watched him walk out the door—tears filling my eyes as it closed behind him.

A sinking feeling settled into my already aching body—a sense that this was the end of our story, one that ended before it was ever written.

I felt like one of the authors I worked with, clinging to the spark of an idea, a story I could see so clearly in my mind but could never quite put to paper.

Too many plot holes. Too many obstacles. Too much life in the way.

I let my tears fall freely for the story of Corbin and Sophia—a story that would never see the light of day.